BSc Minor Development and Policies in a Globalizing World (WUDPG) / BSc

Profile

In our globalized world international development has become a key theme. Wherever we live, whatever we do, we live in a strongly connected world. We have left a world in which nation-states were considered the only actors with legitimate power to address problems of development. Currently, many other actors have presented themselves as new 'governors' in a globalizing world, next to the nation-state. These actors include non-governmental organizations (NGO's), international organizations, transnational corporations (TNC's), local interest groups and individual citizens. How this new world will look like, is as yet unclear, but some contours are already recognizable. In this BSc minor the participants will get acquainted with these contemporary developments and learn insights and concepts in order to analyse and understand these developments.In this BSc minor students will first get an introduction in the economic, political, cultural, environmental and demographic dimensions of international development. Next, the process of globalization is placed in a historical perspective. Subsequently, three different contemporary, international institutions and their policies are addressed: the WTO and trade liberalization; the Kyoto protocol and regulation of global warming; UN Security Council and humanitarian intervention. Finally, the focus will be on the policy cycle and theories of public policy that will be applied to specific themes at the national and European level. This BSc minor is a programme minor.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this minor students are expected to be able to:- understand and explain contemporary globalization as a heterogeneous process;- understand and explain the historical transformations of globalization;- assess the position of the nation-state in a globalizing world;- develop an argument and proposal indicating which existing or new global institutions and policies have the greatest potential to address transboundary problems in the field of food security, sustainable development and/or human rights;- analyze a specific policy change trajectory by applying governance and public policy theories.

Language of Instruction

Dutch and English

BSc Minor Coordinator

Dr N.M. TeeuwenPhone: 0317-(4)84025Email: danielle.teeuwen@wur.nl

Target Group

This minor is interesting for a broad range of bachelor students (both social science and non-social science).